The Chicago Journal

Changemaker Heather Stone Carves Success-Enabling Paths for Hopefuls Across the Globe

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

One of the most common roadblocks that hinder people from achieving success is their self-limiting beliefs. While these beliefs are reasonable, they are also unnecessary.

Self-limiting beliefs can be attributed to society’s obsession with perfection, and this poses a problem because nothing or nobody is perfect in this lifetime. Life is filled with thousands of imperfect situations that allow us to translate our visions into actions and encourage us to learn from our mistakes and grow. Thus, experiencing these misfortunes is only part of a larger goal that we have unknowingly prepared for a long time, and personalities like Heather Stone know exactly what role they play in our pursuit of success. Pounding the pavement with her crest of excellence, positivity, and zeal, this power player aims to lead and inspire others by grounding their lives on consistent growth.

Armed with an unparalleled knack for maneuvering others towards the pinnacles of greatness, Heather Stone is a motivational speaker, mentor, former FinTech executive, and nine-figure entrepreneur who is currently making waves across various industries. Although this changemaker is widely known for her successes, none can compare to the recognition she has received for being a source of inspiration to hundreds of thousands of aspiring hopefuls across the globe. On a mission to push boundaries for those looking to get ahead, Heather utilizes her influence to create purpose-driven initiatives that will catalyze change and impact the lives of many individuals worldwide.

For many years, the globally renowned life expert has brought the people’s sense of purpose to fruition. As a frontier of growth, awareness, and mindfulness, she co-founded several initiatives, such as GameAbove Capital, an entity with funds dedicated to promoting and aiding women and minority groups in achieving financial security. On top of that, she is also the co-founder of Capstone Holdings Inc. and the brilliant host behind the Mentors and Moguls Podcast. The podcast serves as an avenue where both public and private figures share their strategies for achieving success, helping carve paths for aspiring hopefuls across the globe. Unlike any other run-of-the-mill podcast, the show features CEOs, entrepreneurs, leading authorities, and more inspirational figures across industries.

Today, Heather Stone continues to make significant strides in paving the way for dreamers and go-getters worldwide through her project called “Unplug & Rejuvenate 2023”, where she gathers over 30 years of experience as an industry leader and offers strategies in the form of a masterclass and a workshop that can help people rise through the ranks in their chosen fields. Through this, Heather hopes to help people ignite the passion for success from within and see them transcend limitations in the years to come.

As can be gleaned from Heather Stone’s list of achievements, it is clear that this is only the beginning of her passion-driven journey. She hopes to carve a success-enabling path for others and see hopefuls translate their vision into reality. Through her triumphs, this power player aims to be a source of inspiration for thousands of aspirants across the world.

Barbara Crump Tells Her Story of Growth and Success in New Book

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

When life gave her challenges, Barbara Crump did not give up. Despite all the fear in her life, she kept moving forward. Today, she is a nurse practitioner, a Ph.D. degree holder, and now a published author. Her book, titled From GED to Ph.D.: My Journey Toward Becoming an Extraordinary Woman shares her story of growth and reinvention with individuals all over the world who may need a little help on their journey to self-discovery.

Barbara Crump has always felt fear as she was growing up. She said, “I have spent my entire life wondering why fear was so prevalent in me. I am still trying to find out why.” The challenges she faced shaped her life. At first, she had trouble responding and adapting to her circumstances, but eventually, she found her footing and was able to turn her life around.

This new author was a teenage mother, and that responsibility at a young age filled her with fear. As a result, she dropped out of high school, which caused a ripple effect of limitations in her life. As a teen mother, she got to know herself better. Becoming a parent influenced Barbara Crump’s desire to set an excellent example for her child. “I wanted to be a better person,” Barbara explained. “I wanted to take control of my life to build a better future for my child and me.”

Barbara Crump knew that the key to a better life and future was education. “Even though I was filled with fear, I decided to work on getting my GED. That was only the first step. I may have dropped out of high school, but once I decided to go back to school, I found that the learning never stops,” Barbara explained.

After obtaining her GED, Barbara Crump went on to pursue a degree in nursing. She is a registered nurse, an adult nurse practitioner licensed in New York and New Jersey, and an advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner. Barbara also has a doctorate in Nursing Research. 

In her book, From GED to Ph.D.: My Journey Toward Becoming an Extraordinary Woman, Barbara Crump shares her experience, from the good to the bad, the challenges she went through, and the success she has achieved. She said, “My book is part of my personal learning process. It is helping me to pull everything, good and bad, out of my subconscious. It is helping me be more secure within myself, and most importantly, as I write my story, I am learning to love myself.” 

Barbara Crump hopes her story can inspire many individuals who felt stuck at one point in their lives. “Being a better person does not happen overnight,” Barbara said, “Despite all my years spent pursuing an education, I am still learning about the things in life that can make me a better person, and I want other people to know that they should never stop learning.”

From GED to Ph.D.: My Journey Toward Becoming an Extraordinary Woman is a beautifully written account of one woman’s life and how she decided to turn her life around and change for the better. From a high school dropout to a Ph.D. holder, Barbara Crump proves that a person can always improve their circumstances in life as long they are willing to put in the work. 

“I was at rock bottom. But I knew I could do more,” she said. “How did I get here with all my limitations and challenges? God must truly have a purpose for me. And I held on to my faith and worked diligently to turn my life around. It can be done. And I hope everyone who reads my book will feel inspired to start making affirmative changes in their life.”

Another Tragedy in Philadelphia as Shooting Rang Through Saturday Night

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

The early days of June bore witness to another shooting incident in Philadelphia that took the lives of three people with eleven others wounded after.

Last Saturday night on Philadelphia’s South Street, the usual scene was interrupted when multiple shooters opened fire. Officers in the area heard the gunshots and observed “several active shooters shooting into the crowd, according to Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw spoke at a news conference on Sunday, saying that the shooting started at roughly 11:31 p.m. She noted that officers stationed on South street “observed several civilians suffering from gunshot wounds, lying on the sidewalk and in the street.” The officers present rendered first aid to the injured victims.

Outlaw noted that five guns were used after a possible physical altercation. She speculates that one gunman was likely shot and wounded but managed to slip away from the police. Another gunman involved in the altercation is likely among the three people killed. Outlaw believes that the other two victims were innocent bystanders.

Two handguns were recovered at the scene, but no arrests were made that connected with the shooting.

“At this point, we don’t know whether or not the altercation that took place was between a group of individuals or if this was tied to another group or affiliation,” said the commissioner. She also added that one officer who saw a man firing a handgun into a large crow drew his weapon, firing several times in the direction of an unknown man, possibly striking him.

“The unknown man dropped his handgun on the sidewalk and ran southbound on 600 American street,” she revealed. “The male was then lost in the area.”

The investigation is currently in its early stages, and the incident was one of several in the area that night. However, the police are still uncertain if they were connected.

“Yesterday was a dark day for Philadelphia,” Outlaw said. “And while many of us were out enjoying the beautiful day in the city, a horrendous and unthinkable act happened in a very popular local and tourist hangout.”

The police are collaborating with state and federal authorities to complete the investigation. The FBI also assists them with resources. In addition, the police are offering a $20,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest and urged witnesses to come forward.

More Than a Hundred New Asteroids Discovered by New Technology

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

The idea of exploring other fields is one that scientists have been eager to try out. Recently, a new tool was developed and will allow for the discovery of more than 100 asteroids. The process was made possible using an algorithm which can search through all previous recordings in order to find those without existing telescopes or image examination tools capable enough to identify them as such.

The use of powerful ground-based telescopes alongside NEOWISE spacecraft has been an effective way for NASA to identify asteroids and other objects orbiting near Earth for years. The agency also relies on tracking systems that follow their movement, which are vital in keeping watch over the planet.

NASA is on a mission to identify and track near-Earth objects that could potentially harm the planet. As such, they launched a spacecraft last year in order to set up a defense mechanism for when faced with incoming asteroids from space.

The Asteroid Institute has just announced that they’ve found 104 new asteroids. They hope this tool will be beneficial and play an important role in discovering many more over time. The Asteroid Institute is a joint project between the B612 Foundation and NASA, with goals of finding asteroids before they hit Earth. 

Ed Lu, the director of B612 Foundation and former NASA astronaut had nothing but positive words to describe this new tool following their latest finding. “Discovering and tracking asteroids is crucial to understanding our solar system, enabling development of space and protecting our planet from asteroid impacts,” said Lu.

The tool was christened ADAM, which is an acronym for Asteroid Discovery Analysis and Mapping. The system utilizes algorithms to find asteroids based on existing data as well as calculate their orbits enough so they can be recognized by international astronomy organizations like NASA or European Space Agency (ESA).

The combined effort of this tool and algorithm is allowing for any telescope with an archive to become a search telescope. In addition, Google has collaborated on the project as their cloud computing system supported what was needed in terms of computational power when working out these complicated calculations.

“We always dreamed of cloud computing becoming a true tool of science,” said Scott Penberthy, Director of Applied AI at Google. “The announcement of today’s and future asteroid discoveries show that this dream is becoming a reality.”

The Philippines to Receive a Major Boost in Internet Service With Elon Musk’s Starlink

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on June 6, 2022

In an effort to help those less fortunate, Elon Musk has announced that he will be providing Philippines residents with high-speed internet service through his company’s satellites. This is a great development for both the Filipino people and investors in this emerging market as it presents new opportunities where there were none before.

Starlink, a satellite internet service that has been approved by the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for registration as Value-Added Service. This new form of high speed and reliable access to information is expected to provide an alternative in contrast with existing providers who have garnered bad reputation due their expensive prices or lackluster services–especially when it comes down to how they treat customers nowadays . The company behind this innovative idea? SpaceX; Elon Musk’s private space enterprise.

The National Transmission Company (NTC) has welcomed Starlink’s recent registration as it allows the company to start offering internet access services in months ahead. The regulator also said that their VAS license “allows them direct access into satellite systems,” which means they can build and operate broadband facilities for downloadable content like movies or songs online.

Quisumbing Torres, Bien’s law firm in the Philippines and counsel for SpaceX Elon Musk’s Starlink project expressed their gratitude towards The NTC for its effort to accelerate VAS License processing.

“We would like to thank the NTC for issuing Starlink’s VAS license 30 minutes after we submitted our application with complete requirements,” said Marquez. “This shows the government’s seriousness in addressing the connectivity needs of our countrymen in unserved and underserved areas. This will also prepare us in the event of natural disasters and calamities.”

Starlink has arrived in the Philippines, providing a new option for consumers as our country continues to suffer from poor internet services. The first Southeast Asian country that will offer their service is also set out as an example of what they hope other areas can achieve with these innovative low-orbit satellites.

In a world where internet service is increasingly becoming a priority, many people have been looking for an alternative to traditional cable providers. One company that has come up with the solution? Starlink! This new satellite network offers high-speed downloading speeds between 100 MBPS and 200 Mbps along side low latency connections which make it perfect not just gamers but also those who need quick access in business or education settings alike.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial Concludes in Favor of Depp

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

The trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has captivated the world since it began six weeks ago. The pair are both accused of domestic violence, with graphic evidence heard from each side during opening arguments that gave us a glimpse into their volatile relationship history.

The jury found Amber Heard indeed defamed her ex husband, who was awarded $15 million in damages. However, there were some aspects of her countersuit that earned her $2 million in damages.The five-man, two-woman jury deliberated for three days before coming to such a conclusion.

“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,” Heard said after the verdict. “I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband.”

“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women,” she continued. “It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.”

Johnny Depp had been abroad and was absent in court for the verdict, but the result prompted him to make a statement on an Instagram post that generated millions of likes from supporters.

“Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed,” said Depp. “The jury gave me my life back. From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.”

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard met eleven years ago on the production of The Rum Diary. Although they married in 2015, the couple would separate two years later, and in 2018, Heard wrote a piece on The Washington Post that implied that Depp domestically abused her, setting off the events that would lead to this trial.

Ana de Armas Gets Cut Out of a Beatles-Themed Movie and Fans Are Suing

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on June 6, 2022

Photo: Harper’s Bazaar

It seems that the entertainment industry just can’t take a break from all the commotions that its fans are bringing to the table. Just recently, two uncompromising fans of the actress Ana de Armas are reportedly suing Universal Pictures, an American film production and distribution company owned by Comcast, after allegedly duping them into renting a film that they presumed de Armas was going to be in on an account that she was seen in its trailers and through its numerous promotional materials.

Conor Woulfe, 38, of Maryland, and Peter Michael Rosza, 44, of San Diego County, California, have filed a federal class-action lawsuit in the United States against the production behemoth on Friday after asserting that the advertising around the 2019 movie Yesterday was in their words “false, deceptive, and misleading” considering that de Armas does not in any way appear in the final version of the film despite being included numerous times during the movie’s marketing phase. 

According to the two individuals, they each paid $3.99 to rent the movie on Amazon Prime only to find out that the Knives Out actress was nowhere to be found.

Yesterday is directed by British filmmaker Danny Boyle with a premise that revolves around the unconventional plot of having the Beatles erased from existence. The movie follows the bizarre story of singer-songwriter Jack Malik, who discovers that he may be the only person in the whole world that has a recollection of the Beatles after a freaky incident. Jack then catapults himself to worldwide fame by claiming the famous band’s music as his own. De Armas was set to surface as the main character’s love interest, Roxane, who was supposed to be introduced to Malik on a talk show.

For many critics, the plot was far-fetched yet enjoyable. But it seems that the plot was not the only thing that went too far following how the production company completely removed de Armas from the movie’s final cut. According to the movie’s screenwriter, Richard Curtis, in his interview with Cinema Blend, many in the audience weren’t really in favor of the idea that Malik strays from his primary love interest in the movie.

“That was a very traumatic cut because she was brilliant in it. I mean really radiant,” Curtis explains. “You know, it’s one of those things where it’s some of our favorite scenes from the film, but we had to cut them for the sake of the whole.

The class-action lawsuit seeks to reimburse at least $5 million for the account of many affected patrons.

“Because consumers were promised a movie with Ana de Armas by the trailer for Yesterday, but did not receive a movie with any appearance of Ana de Armas at all, such consumers were not provided with any value for their rental or purchase,” the lawsuit states.

In addition, the lawsuit also claims that two of the movie’s leading actors, Himesh Patel and Lily James were “largely unknown” and that Universal Pictures itself “could not rely on their fame to promote the movie to entice viewership” and “used de Armas’ fame, radiance, and brilliance to promote the film.”

The lawsuit has a striking resemblance to the 2011 Michigan case relating to a Ryan Gosling movie called Drive. According to the plaintiff, the movie’s marketing materials made it seem that it would be a high-speed action-driving film, but he did not expect it to have “many segments of slow-paced, interpersonal drama.” The court dismissed the case in 2013.

Leaked Patent Reveals Apple’s Initial Plans to Integrate a Camera to the Apple Watch

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

The Apple Watch is one of the most anticipated products in recent memory, and it’s no surprise why. The company has consistently elevated its industry with innovative concepts. For example, a patent reveals plans to integrate cameras on smartwatches that offer unparalleled functionality for users who want both fashion-forward style and cutting-edge technology at every turn.

Rumors have been floating around for years about Apple adding a camera on their smartwatch – a concept that was realized by Samsung years earlier. However, the product never took off. However, a leaked patent granted by Apple outlines designs involving tiny cameras attached to watches which could give them an edge over competitors who don’t currently offer this feature.

The leak of this patent online has revealed concepts for the camera-integrated Apple Watch. This smartwatch would install cameras at both ends with light emitters to help users take photos in low-lit conditions, all while retaining its traditional navigating function for more straightforward navigation through life’s little moments.

The Apple Watch’s camera would be able to detach and fit into a special slot on the strap. This solves one problem that has lingered with smartwatches, which is how you would take photos when your arm isn’t extended enough from its usual position.

Fans of the Apple Watch should not get their hopes up about a possible camera installation. The patent was filed in 2019, but it’s important to remember that patents are only indications and do not guarantee any features will make production.

Fans of the Apple Watch will have to wait until WWDC 2022 for them to reveal what new features their device has. However, it is likely that this year’s model, which may come with an improved design and some blood pressure monitoring tools, among other things mentioned above as well, will launch during fall time. Additionally, reports have emerged that a rugged version of the watch may see the light, giving athletes and hikers something to look forward to.

Stranger Things and Nora Felder Help Running Up That Hill Slip Back into the Mainstream

Nicholas Alexander Nicholas Alexander on June 6, 2022

Stranger Things has been a phenomenon since it was released in 2016. No one could have imagined just how big this would get.

Stranger Things has always been a show that pays homage to its retro roots, and this year was no exception. The latest season of the Netflix series follows suit by incorporating an old favorite into mainstream culture: Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).

The song plays an important role in the plot, particularly around Sadie Sink’s Max’s story. After losing her step-brother Billy (played by the charismatic Dacre Montgomery) to the Mind Flayer, she is left dealing with her feelings of isolation and depression.

The season picks six months after the end of season three with the young heroes in high school. While Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazz continue to be social outcasts Mike and Dustin, Caleb McLaughlin’s Lucas Sinclair has found a new life as a jock. Max often has her headphones on with Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill playing on full volume. Ultimately, the song plays a crucial role in Max’s first confrontation with the new main villain, Vecna.

Throughout the story, teenagers have been dying in an homage to A Nightmare on Elm Street. When Max realizes she may be next, they try to find a way to stop her from suffering the same demise. Ultimately, they discover a loophole – music. The information arrives right on time as Max nearly falls victim to Vecna. Hearing the Kate Bush classic allows her to slip away.

Fans who fell in love with the track have Nora Felder to thank. The longtime music supervisor for the show stepped in while show creators Matt and Ross Duffer were struggling to find the right song for the scene.

“The song really needed to resonate with Max’s experience and amplify her need for strength and support at that time,” explained the music supervisor. With Running Up That Hill, Felder immediately felt a surge of excitement. “The more the song marinated in my conscious awareness, I realized this was something that could be special.”

Russia’s Biggest Search Engine Faces Financial Issues

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on June 6, 2022

Photo: SEJ

The leading search engine in Russia, Yandex, could face its downfall as financial ramifications continue from the attack on Ukraine. 

Yandex, one of Russia’s largest internet companies and an important search engine for the country with a 60% market share on searches online, announced Thursday that it might be unable to pay off its debt due in part to severe US financial sector sanctions. 

The Dutch-based company is an international business with shares listed on both Nasdaq and Russian stock exchanges. However, trading has been halted this week as the value of their assets dropped due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine. 

Over the weekend, a series of unprecedented economic penalties by the United States, European Union, and more major Western countries mounted on the adversity. 

Yandex is not subject to US sanctions, but investors who hold $1.25 billion worth of its convertible notes may be entitled to compensation if trading on Nasdaq becomes hindered for more than five days. They can demand repayment with interest added to the price tag. 

On Friday, Russia announced that the stock market would be closed until Tuesday.

In a statement, the company said, “The Yandex group as a whole does not currently have sufficient resources to redeem the Notes in full.” 

Russia’s largest lender, Sberbank, has been blocked from sending money to its subsidiary in Vienna after a run on deposits leading to the temporary closure of the bank. 

“In the event that we were prevented from distributing additional funds from our Russian subsidiaries to our Dutch parent company, Yandex would not have sufficient resources to redeem a majority of the Notes,” said the company. As a result, it poses a massive impact on its capacity to compensate for its financial responsibilities. 

“We are currently conducting contingency planning to determine what steps we would take in this regard and what other sources of financing would be available to us in the event that this redemption right is triggered,” added Yandex. 

Yandex, which possessed around $17.4 billion market value earlier in February, revealed reports of its revenues at 356 billion rubles in valuation in 2021, currently equal to a bit over $3 billion following the drop in the Russian currency.